Friday 29th July 2022
Kia ora e te whānau,
Welcome back to the new term. First time coming to you through our new school app HERO if you are connected. Will still be posting this on the Skool Loop to catch those who haven’t made the transition across yet. Please reach out if you have connectivity issues as we do need a valid email address listed in our system so we can link you to your child/ren to access this. It’s simple and we hope you love it!
Front Fence:
Hopefully you have noticed that this is finished and looks better than we anticipated! Massive thanks to Hayden and Josh from Camlitt Fencing for their quality workmanship and dedication to get this project complete by school starting back on Monday. I know there were challenges that were out of their control. The remaining fencing works have been scheduled for completion by the end of the next holidays. The gate might appear to look locked, but it has an opening for you to let your child/ren in if they come late to school and the gate is closed. We just ask that you please help them in and make sure it is closed again on your departure.
Karakia:
At Turitea we have a karakia (incantation) that we start the day with every morning. This term we’ve decided to do this as a whole school together embracing our value of whanaungatanga (relationships) but I thought you might be interested in knowing more about the ‘why’ behind us doing this and what it means.
E te whānau – For this group/family
Whaia te mātauranga kia mārama – Let us seek knowledge for understanding
Kia whai take ngā mahi katoa – Have purpose in all that we do
Tū māia, tū kaha – Let us show respect
Aroha atu, aroha mai – Kindness given is kindness received
Tātou i a tātou katoa. – For each other.
In Te Ao Māori, (Māori world) karakia are used for many reasons, but mostly to bring about spiritual guidance, protection and increase the goodwill of a gathering. Naturally as a kura (school) we want similar outcomes, hence the reason we are embracing this approach and teaching our tamariki (children) about this important aspect of Māori culture honouring our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. (The Treaty of Waitangi)
We also usually close the day with another karakia which lets us leave with ‘good vibes.’
Kua mutu a mātou mahi – Our work has finished
Mō tēnei wā – for the moment
Manaakitia mai mātou katoa – Bless us all
O mātou hoa – Our workmates
O mātou whānau – Our families
Aio ki te aorangi. – Peace to the universe.
Mid Year Reports:
You should have received these last term. As always, I welcome your feedback on how these met your needs, good or bad – We can’t improve if we don’t know. Trusting they provided you with a snapshot of how your child is doing currently. As I mentioned previously; effective learning needs an effective partnership so reach out to your child’s kaiako (teacher) if you need any clarification about their learning/development.
Masks:
As always face masks are encouraged, but not enforced. The Ministries of Education and Health do recommend wearing them in an indoor setting for the first four weeks of term for students Years 4 and above.
Board Nominations:
By now you should have received an email from CES about the upcoming Board Elections being open. You can follow this link if you are interested in nominating yourself, after a brief sign in process. We only have one nominee at this stage, so please consider this exciting opportunity! Nominations close next Friday 5th August. We have our next BoT meeting this coming Tuesday 2nd August, so talk to me if you’re interested.
Skateboards:
Hopefully you’ve heard by now that we have a bit of a ‘State of Skate’ happening at school at break times. This was brought on by the generous donation of 10 helmets and skateboards from Onboard Skate to get our kids hooked. 10 boards across 148 kids doesn’t bode well, so there is plenty of learning around sharing and turn taking going on. However, if your child has their own skateboard or roller skates at home, we encourage them to bring them, with a helmet. Steve has great deals too if you want a good setup, just flick him a message. He also runs a Saturday programme at the Arena for anyone interested in developing their skills further. Huge mihi (thanks) to Pete and Meryl Butler for building the amazing storage rack for them.
Kelly Sport Afterschool Programme:
This is continuing on a Tuesday afterschool. If your child already did this then you should have received an email to sign up again. If you saw this happening last term and wanted in, check out their info about it.
Year 6 Transition to Intermediate School:
Next Wednesday, our Year 6’s make their way to Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School for their initial visit to get a taste of intermediate life. St. Peters College has dropped off their prospectus to the office, if you are interested in having a look. Their open night is from 6.00 – 8.30pm on Thursday 11th August.
Mobile Library Bus Visit:
Rob and his pahi (bus) come to visit us next week on Friday 5th August for his monthly visit. Feel free to send your kids with any city library books for returns and their library cards for issuing. Check out the cute article from the Guardian about it last month.
Epic Music:
Does your child want to learn an instrument, play in a band and perform on the big stage? Epic Music Academy runs it’s one of a kind instrument tuition programs in school, and registrations are open for Term 3! To sign up, simply ask the office for a sign up form, check out our website or email your interest to us here.
Mercury Energy Wind Farm Community Liaison Group:
This is next Wednesday 3rd August in our hall (Tane Mahuta) from 5.15pm -7.00pm if you’d like to attend.
Sports @ Turitea:
Netball – Resumes Saturday 6th August
Basketball – Resumes Thursday 4th August
Hockey – Sunday 31st July
Year 5/6 Turitea Lightning vs Cloverlea at 12:15pm on 1B
Year 3/4 Turitea Avalanche vs Aokautere at 8:30 on 2A
Year 1/2 Turitea Flame vs Cornerstone at 9:15am on 2F
Orienteering – 11 students have been chosen to represent our school at the Manawatū Orienteering Championships next Friday 5th August. Anna will be in touch. If you want to have a practise over the weekend, head to the Esplanade to get your kids familiar with the course and reading the maps there.
Ka aroha hoki Trish (our deepest sympathy), our thoughts are with her and her whānau this week with the unexpected passing of her brother – a massive loss! She will be on leave until next Thursday.
Nice to see you all back this week around the place. Have a fantastic weekend everyone.
Ngā manaakitanga,